A young Indian boy from Nipigon country in the Canadian wilderness carves a twelve-inch canoe with a kneeling Indian figure and frees it to undertake a journey to the Atlantic Ocean in his place. He must stay home and help his father but yearns to learn about the world beyond his life in the village. Four years later this tiny vessel reaches its destination, ending a journey fraught with danger, excitement, and beauty.
Taking the listener through the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean, Holling Clancy Holling gives us a treasure chest of geography and natural science wrapped in an unforgettably beautiful story. This timeless award-winning book has been a favorite of families for over sixty years.
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" I absolutely adored this book when I was a little boy... Any child who grows up in Michigan, as I did (or in Ontario), will perhaps get a bit more enjoyment from the book- but I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good story... "
— Liam (4 out of 5 stars)
“Here is geography presented with freshness and originality and imagination.”
— New York Times“Geography of the best kind, made vivid by the power of imagination.”
— Horn Book“This is a fun, adventurous story…Any young child would enjoy reading about the exciting experiences Paddle has.”
— Children’s Literature“Holling’s Caldecott Honor book, first published in 1941, finds a new life in Bregy’s reading. With a voice that ranges from smooth and lilting to excited and energetic, Bregy helps listeners follow the informative and sometimes dramatic adventures of a toy-sized Indian figure and canoe carved by an Indian boy in Canada…Younger listeners will be inspired by the image of a toy embarking on such a fascinating and dangerous voyage; many adults will appreciate the tribute paid to nature and the geographical tidbits included here. A top-notch family listen.”
— Publishers Weekly (audio review)“Holling’s Caldecott Honor book, originally published in 1941, will surely find a new audience with this dramatic reading. Narrator Terry Bregy delivers an exceptional performance. His cadence ranges from smooth and easy to energetic, and listeners are lead along on the story’s journey…Four years later, Paddle has reached his destination, and listeners have experienced an incredible story complete with geography, nature, drama, and adventure. Original music accompanies the reading and adds to the mood. A notable listening experience for families; public and school libraries alike will value this addition to their audio collection.”
— School Library Journal (audio review)“The story is timeless and fulfills a child’s dream of seeing a toy take on a life of its own. The opening steady drumbeats and the flutelike instrument melodies set the stage for this imaginative adventure, which invites geographic exploration. Bregy’s nicely paced, well-modulated reading emphasizes the climactic moments.”
— Booklist (audio review)“Terry Bregy reads in a voice befitting a bedtime tale. His clear, soft voice allows the listener to relax while learning.”
— AudioFile" I loooved this book when I was little!! And still do. =) "
— Hannah, 4/26/2011" Interesting idea for a story. Nicely done.<br/>Caldecott honor "
— Mckinley, 4/22/2011" Good story, but I'm not sure I like this genre. Would it be called geographical fiction? It was a read aloud for Paul's school. "
— Melissa, 4/19/2011" A classic. The movie is great, too. Old-style, meaning there are no girls in it. "
— Cynthia, 4/17/2011" We read most of this but lost interest. "
— Dawn, 4/17/2011" clever little short book great for science , geography connections "
— Rodney, 4/8/2011" Lovely story. Reading it as a child is one of my most vivid literary memories. The twist at the end is better than O.Henry or..."The Sixth Sense." <br/> "
— Clark, 2/10/2011" my favorite childhood book of geographic adventures! "
— Mary, 1/20/2011" Great book of segmented reading to new readers. Long, but one chapter is the perfect length for me and my 6 year old. "
— Anna, 9/26/2010" recommended by Joan Benoit Samuelson. This is a spectacular childrens' book which teaches the reader about adventure, geography and culture. "
— Wendy, 6/25/2010" This is a awesome book READ IT READ IT LIKE FOR REAL! "
— Bratzqueen16, 6/11/2010Holling Clancy Holling (1900–1973) graduated from the Art Institute of Chicago in 1923. He then worked in a taxidermy department of the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago and spent time working in anthropology under Dr. Ralph Linton. During this period, he married Lucille Webster and within a year of their marriage accepted a position as art instructor on the first University World Cruise, sponsored by New York University. For many years, he dedicated much of his time and interest to making books for children. Much of the material he used was known to him firsthand, and his wife worked with him on many of the illustrations. He is best known for his book Paddle-to-the-Sea, which was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1942 and won the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award in 1962.
Terry Bregy is a narrator of children’s and young adult books. Some of his published credits include Morning Girl, Paddle-to-the-Sea, and Across Five Aprils.